Jack J. Fontana, 85, died on May 15th 2018 in Cary, NC, surrounded by Love. Jack was born in Brooklyn, NY on May 10th 1933, the son of Joseph and Agatha (Giglio) Fontana and beloved brother of Joan Bell. Jack always had a smile on his face, and whenever possible, a golf club in his hand. He was a deeply devoted man and a member of the Roman Catholic Church in Waverly, NY, the town where he retired.
He graduated from Adelphi University in 1963 and spent over 40 years working as a career scientist working at Brookhaven National Laboratory. His work focused on the research and development of polymer composites for use in the transportation, natural gas, and geothermal industries. His research earned him three patents and lecture engagements around the world. Along with his patents, he was most proud of his work helping to preserve rare architectural sculptures and frontispieces from demolished New York City landmarks. These works of art are still housed at the Brooklyn Museum Sculpture Gardens.
He passed on his love of learning, golf and travel to his daughters of whom he was very proud. Although he had perfect weekly attendance at The Club at Shepard Hills, he was never satisfied with his golf game. As his golf buddies know, his many sets of golf clubs housed in his garage reflected his ongoing drive to continuously improve his game.
He was a loving and compassionate person, husband, and father who will be missed tremendously. Jack is survived by his wife AnnMarie Fontana, and his two daughters Donna M. Fontana and Laura L. Fontana, and their mother JoAnn Fontana. His step children and four grandchildren also deeply mourn his loss.
May 21, 2018 Arrangements
10:00-11:00 am - O.B. Davis Funeral Home, 10001 NY-25A, Miller Place, NY 11764
11:30 am - Funeral Mass St Louis de Montfort, R.C. Church, 75 New York Ave, Sound Beach, NY 11789
Burial immediately following at The Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 3442 NY-112, Coram NY 11727
Lunch afterwards at the Meadow Club 1147 Route 112 Port Jefferson Station, NY 11776
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Research fund at the University of Delaware in memory of Jack Joseph Fontana. Please send contributions to: University of Delaware, Gifts Processing, 83 E. Main St, 3rd Fl., Newark, DE 19716. Make checks payable to: ‘University of Delaware’ and include on the memo line “in memory of Jack Fontana”. Gifts can also be made on the University of Delaware’s secure website, www.udel.edu/makeagift.”
In lieu of flowers you may also have masses said for Jack at his parish: St. Michael the Archangel in Cary, N.C. (919) 468-6100 www.stmichaelcary.org
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